As the film adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel "Sin City" hits theaters tomorrow, let's take a look at past movie metropolises and the films that revolve around them.
Sordid
"City of God" - 2003 If you haven't seen this fantastic film about Brazilian gangs, you are truly missing out. Drop whatever you're doing right now, no matter what it is, and go watch this movie. Well, unless it's something really constructive, like watching all 10 "Friday the 13th" movies in a row. This is actually something I can say I have done. I don't know if that makes me very proud ... or extremely depressed, but only because no other experience I could possibly have in the future could ever be as worthwhile.
Saved
"City of Angels" - 1998 Sometimes, when I'm watching a bad Nicholas Cage movie and I get bored, I start to imagine if his other characters somehow were in the movie I was watching. So, here is the remade version of this movie in my head. Okay, so there's this angel that Meg Ryan falls in love with, but then his face comes off, and in order to get it back, he's got to bust into Alcatraz to rescue his daughter's stuffed bunny. Oh, and did I mention he ends up losing Meg Ryan in a poker game to James Caan?
Sacred
"City of Lost Children" - 1995 Okay, so of all the Jean-Pierre Jeunet films I've ever seen, I'm ashamed to say I've fallen asleep in every one (the exception being "Alien Resurrection"). Ten minutes into "Amelie" and zzz... Even in the totally awesome "Delicatessen," where people are EATING OTHER PEOPLE, I fell asleep. Well, this Jeunet film co-stars Ron Perlman, better known for his title role in "Hellboy," and all I can say about him is how pissed off he was when my friend Jordan called him up after getting his number from Paris Hilton's hacked sidekick.
Spooked
"Dark City" - 1998 In this excellent sci-fi mystery, Jennifer Connelly takes what her whole career has come to revolve around: a longing look from the end of a pier on the ocean. This scene is not only in "Dark City," but is also in "Requiem For A Dream" and "House of Sand and Fog." Too bad she didn't continue the tradition of rescuing infants from David Bowie's evil clutches ("Labyrinth"). That really would've taken "House of Sand and Fog" to new heights.
Slicked
"City Slickers" - 1991 Billy Crystal does it all in this movie. He sings on a horse, delivers a calf, gives a eulogy and wears a Mets cap. And who could forget the end when he finally found his smile? That was awesome. But not as awesome as the legend among legends, that being "Curly's Gold." Curly's long lost twin, Duke, for the sequel? Genius.
